I was at a National Speakers Association meeting a few months ago and Dan Poynter was speaking to the group about book publishing, writing, and the speaking business.

After the meeting, Dan told me he was planning a trip to Europe to speak to several groups.

I asked him if he thought he would ever retire since he had long since passed what our country considers retirement age and he is financially independent.

He said that retirement is for people who hate what they do. And he loves what he does. So why would he retire?

There is a lot of wisdom in that simple reply.

We have to change the way we view retirement in this country because people are healthier and living longer than ever before.

The average life expectancy for a male in 1900 was 48.3 years. For a female, it was 46.3 years.

In 2007, according to the National Vital Statistics Report, the average age at death in the U.S. was 86 years.

Also the "active" life expectancy is steadily increasing. This means you are healthier for a longer period of time. So you can work for a longer period of time and continue contributing to society.

So why do people think they are supposed to "retire" at 62 or 65 or whatever age? Who planted that idea into our minds and into our culture? It's time to change our attitude about retirement.

It is more important than ever to find your life's calling, pursue your passion, and figure out a way to make money by doing something you love to do.

So many people live their lives working a job they don't like with people they don't like and look forward to the day they can "retire".

Why do they do this?

One reason is the "entitlement mentality". Work for a company 30 years and keep getting paid even after you quit working. (Ask the United States Postal Service how that business model is working for them.)

I recently posted a question on LinkedIn asking people what their biggest challenge was in leaving their job and starting a business. The overwhelming response was fear.

Fear is the main reason for people not living the life they want and longing for the day they can retire and do something else.

Don't let fear keep you from living a fulfilled life. And that fulfilled life may include working a job. Having a job is not a bad thing if you love what you do. But having a job you do not enjoy and struggling to get up every morning to get to that job is no way to live.

There has never been a better time to start a business and become successful because of technology and the access we have to information.

Success does not come easy. You will have to work. You will have to make sacrifices. You will have to do a little soul-searching to find your true calling or your passion. But, as a result, you will have an amazing life when you are passionate about what you do.

Will I ever retire? Probably not. Sounds boring to me.

 

To Your Success,